Learning Experiences From Outside the Classroom – Part 1

Jyotirmay International School believes in helping students in discovering their learning experiences which come from observing life as it happens all around us. Field trips are a compulsory part of our curriculum and these give our students an exposure to various discoveries. During the first term of the academic year 2015-16, our children got to visit varied places which were in keeping with their levels of interest. 

On a field trip to the Deccan College Archaeology Museum

Copies of Harappan artifacts from Mohenjo Daro and Harappa

For our middle to senior school children visiting the Deccan College Archaeology Museum at Yerawada on Monday 27^th July, history came alive. 

Taking shapes from the past were ancient stone tools, pottery and jewelry along with other material culture displayed in eight galleries at the museum ranging from the Stone Age, Megalithic, Chalcolithic (including Harappan) to Maritime and Ethnoarchaeology.

Multi-disciplinary approach of Archaeological Studies applied for understanding Mankind's past through integrated research using various branches of Sciences and Humanities

For our primary and middle school children, their visit to the People For Animals’ Shelter at Holkarwadi on Thursday 30th July was undoubtedly a super hit - as can be seen in their excited faces filled with anticipation! 

The Shelter's Operating Theatre and ICU area

Dedicated to the rescue and recovery of injured or sick animals, the shelter comprises of an operating room and ICU besides a Reception area; our children had eager questions for the entire PFA team.

The shelter’s star attractions were gentle animals like Pegasus – a retired race and show jumping Thoroughbred horse and Sita – a black cow. 

Pegasus and the cows vying for attention!

Emma the Emu at the gate!

But there was also Emma the Emu, lovingly nicknamed ‘Chowkidar’, and other unnamed animals that became just as memorable as they thrived on all the attention.

Other friends included the shelter’s success stories, such as a cat in the ICU who lost three legs by walking through acid, a white cow recovering from complete paralysis and a couple of donkeys with broken legs. 

Witnessing the rescue of a limping cat right beside their bus while leaving the premises reminded our students of the wonderful service provided by the PFA and they promised to get in touch in case of an animal needing rescue.

The visit to the Archaeology Museum at Deccan College Post-graduate Institute gave Jyotirmay students a glimpse into the life and struggles of early humans as they evolved and settled down into civilizations. Visiting the PFA shelter on the other hand, taught them - and us - how to become humane.